'Fifty Shades of Grey' Is Every Shade of Evil

E.L. James (Erika Leonard James) born March 7, 1963, is only six years and 20 days older than me. She's a British author whose first book, Fifty Shades of Grey was a runaway success. She's married, and she and her husband  have two teenage sons (as of 2012, not sure how old they are now).

Many say her books were a surprise hit, but I don't agree. It's no surprise that this trilogy filled with every shade of evil, only proves what God already said—we're all depraved, and without Christ, we're actually drawn to darkness rather than repulsed by it.

"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." (John 3:19, ESV)

E.L. James gladly admits that Fifty Shades of Grey is her "midlife crisis, writ large. All my fantasies are there, and that's it." Some people purchase a new car or a new house; they get in shape, or find new hobbies when they have their midlife crisis. But poor E.L. James decided to infect millions of people (mostly women) with this book where she attempts to make a cesspool of evil look like a refreshing dip in clean, clear waters. But no matter how you dress it up, dung is dung.

With the heightened awareness of abuse (emotional, mental and physical) toward women, I'm surprised Hollywood would consider flinging this dung onto the big screen. Especially with the most recent Ray and Janay Rice incident and how poorly the NFL initially handled the situation—it seems odd. Everyone was appalled by watching a less than five minute video of Ray Rice abusing his then fiancĂ©e, Janay in the elevator. Yet, Hollywood thinks people actually want to sit for nearly two hours and watch a woman get violently abused?

I don't know. Perhaps millions will go see this movie. Perhaps all those who cried "Foul!" when Janay Rice was abused by Ray Rice forgot what they said they hated. Perhaps all those people who said they cared about a woman's welfare and dignity just lied...to themselves and to the public. I hope not.

James says this is a "love story." It is not. It is a scripted, sadistic fantasy. In reality, no one conquers evil (Christian Grey) by submitting to it (Ana Steele). Satan and his demonic legions aren't convinced of their wickedness by people submitting to his dominion of darkness. Satan and his demonic legions are conquered by God's holy, mighty and righteous acts. Only good conquers evil. And God alone is good.

It breaks my heart to think millions of unbelievers have been bewitched by this book of horrors (Rom 1:24-25). But when I hear professing Christian men and women have read and "enjoyed" this book filled with more than 50 shades of evil, I'm indignant. And according to God, every Christian should be (1 Cor 5:11-13).

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy."
~Colossians 3:5-8, 1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)

Did I need to read this trilogy in order to recognize the evil oozing from the pages? No. Much like the caustic stench of death permeates the nostrils before one sees a week-old corpse, knowing the basic premise of the story line is enough.

The truth is: Real men don't dominate and abuse women—they cherish and protect them; and real women don't submit to immature fiends like Christian Grey.

Please don't misunderstand. Just because I'm calling a spade a spade doesn't mean I despise or have the slightest of ill feelings toward E.L. James. Rather, I feel great pity for her lost soul who, just like you and me, needs Jesus Christ. If ever I could sit down and have coffee, or a cup of tea with her, I'd greet her well and happily share the Good News of Jesus Christ with her. I pray the Lord will be pleased to grant her the gift of repentance that leads to salvation.

If you're reading this and you profess Christ as Lord, yet find even a slight hint of delight from this book that's an abomination before the sight of God, then please, I urge you—repent and seek godly counsel for your pleasure of sexual immorality.

If you're reading this and you're not a Christian, and enjoy this book, please know I am praying for your salvation. Only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ can you be made acceptable before the sight of a holy God, have your sins forgiven, and conscience cleansed.

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